Former Yarra Ranges mayor Graham Colling fined $2000 for taking more than $20,000 from his brother-in-law

FORMER Yarra Ranges mayor Graham Colling has been fined $2000 for taking more than $20,000 from his brother-in-law.

Graham Colling, who was a Shire of Lillydale mayor from 1984 to 1985 was charged with four counts of obtaining property by deception in 2011.

A charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice was dropped.

Mr Colling, who pleaded guilty to the charges of deception, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday, March 18, and was fined without conviction.

Sentencing was delayed to allow Mr Colling to pay back $22,300 to his Yarra Ranges-based brother-in-law.

Magistrate Michelle Ehrlich said Colling would have received a suspended sentence had he not paid the money back.

Mr Colling told the court that he had two Benalla properties up for sale so that he could pay his debts, including $15,000 legal fees.

Mr Colling must pay the fine by September 18, 2013.

Ms Ehrlich said the fine could be converted to community service should Mr Colling be unable to pay the money. Mr Colling was a shire councillor from 1983 to 1986.

heraldsun.com.au 28 Mar 2013

This is how the corrupt legal system work in your favour, only if you're part of the 'boys club':
 
"A charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice was dropped".

 "Mr Colling, who pleaded guilty to the charges of deception, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday, March 18, and was fined without conviction."